Ancelotti’s defence left in tatters by Torres the tornado

THE long road to recovery will be arduous, but Roy Hodgson can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Crisis? What crisis? A Fernando Torres-inspired victory over champions Chelsea yesterday lifted Liverpool back to where the fans expect them to be, jostling for position towards the higher echelons of the Premier League.

Hodgson, as is his way, will remain grounded following this victory, Liverpool’s fourth in succession. He simply doesn’t do over-reaction. But try dampening the fans’ spirits now – they’re beginning to believe again.

Torres’ double helped continue the revival at Carlo Ancelotti’s expense and, in the process, kept Chelsea’s lead at the top of the table to a measly two points. It was not as if Ancelotti didn’t know what was coming. Torres is a familiar nemesis to Chelsea and his double took his tally to six in five appearances against them.

The Spaniard was simply unplayable; John Terry and his stunned defence had no answer for Liverpool’s prodigal son. Quite simply, when Torres turns on the style, so do Liverpool.

There will be no title at Anfield this season – again – but at least the fans are smiling. It has been a season of strife so far but three points yesterday against the champions will add to the sense of growing optimism at Anfield.

The feeling of belief filled the air before kick-off thanks to back-to-back wins over Blackburn and Bolton in the league, before Steven Gerrard destroyed Napoli in midweek. Gerrard and company were also lifted by the absence of Michael Essien while Didier Drogba was only fit enough for the bench.

It was difficult not to spare a thought for Gerrard as he led his side out of the tunnel yesterday. He knows it could have been so different, had he decided to leave Liverpool in 2005 when it seemed a certainty he would move to Chelsea.

He stayed put and since then he has seen Chelsea win two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. But how Chelsea could have done with him yesterday.

The Liverpool captain was central, as always, to the destination of the points at Anfield and the return to goalscoring form for Torres came at just the right time. As if Anfield wasn’t already cacophonous, the Spaniard’s clever finish on 11 minutes almost tore the roof off.

And while Chelsea continue to sweep past all before them at Stamford Bridge, there is a vulnerability about them when they leave west London. A defeat to Manchester City and a goalless draw at Aston Villa, coupled with yesterday’s result, hints at a travel sickness they’ll have to shake off if they want to win the title.

While the visitors toiled without Drogba, Liverpool whirred into action and Torres’ excellent curled finish before half time was just reward for an enterprising first half.

These are changing times at Anfield. Despised owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are now gone and John Henry’s regime has begun brightly. Time will tell whether his investment turns out to be a positive one but for now, the Liverpool fans can rest a lot more easily. American Henry could afford himself a smile as he watched his new venture negotiate a match in which Chelsea were a shadow of their usual selves.

How Ancelotti must have wished this game was played a month or so ago, when his opponents were still in the grips of despair. Having suffered the threat of administration as well as gut-wrenching defeats to Manchester United and Blackpool, a clash against Chelsea would have undoubtedly yielded yet more agony.

Not this time, not with Torres now on the prowl.

Drogba’s introduction for the second half seemed to unsettle Liverpool and Ramires was incredibly unlucky not to score from his cross with 25 minutes to go. The Brazilian’s effort was excellently pushed away to safety by Pepe Reina as Hodgson looked on in fear for the first time all match.

Gerrard said before the match that he wants a quick-fix to Liverpool’s ills. Hodgson, on the other hand, will understandably demand a patient approach as he looks to restore the club to their former glories. He will point out that a victory over Chelsea results in nothing more than three points.

But the Liverpool fans will tell you a different story. They will now begin to believe they can emerge from this stormy start to the season and trouble those towards the top of the Premier League, rather than nervously looking at those striving to stay in the division.

As Howard Webb’s whistle brought an end to a stirring victory for Liverpool, Hodgson could afford to smile, with his side now on the right track. The road towards the title now seems rockier for Chelsea and Ancelotti wore the look of a man with plenty to ponder as his disconsolate troops trudged off, reeling from the tornado from Torres.